No matter what the purpose of telling stories or what method we use to tell the story, there are certain benefits that are provided by using storytelling to communicate ideas.
Some of these are:
Communicate Collaboratively
In abstract discussions, ideas come at us like missiles, invading our space and directing us to adopt a mental framework established by another being, and our options come down to accepting or rejecting them. Narrative by contrast comes at us collaboratively inviting us gently to follow the story arm-in-arm with the listener. It is more like a dance than a battle.
Communicate Persuasively
When the listener follows a story, there is the possibility to get the listener to invent a parallel story in the listener's own environment. The story co-created becomes our own, and something we love and are prepared to fight for.
Communicate Accurately
Before modern express communication, the communication was among people from the same village, or district, or city. With global communications, the assumption of similar context in which knowledge arises, hence becomes the normal vehicle for accurate knowledge transfer.
Communicate Intuitively
We know more than we realize. But if we do not know it, how can we communicate it. Storytelling provides an answer, since by telling a story with feeling, we are able to communicate more explicitly now. Our body takes over and does it for us.
Communicate Entertainingly
Abstract communications are dull and dry because they are not populated with people but things. As living beings, we are attracted to what is living and repelled by inert things such as concepts. Stories enliven and entertain.
Communicate Movingly to get action
Storytelling does not just close the knowing/doing gap. It eliminates the gap by stimulating the listener to co-create the idea.
Communicate Feelingly
Explicit talk about feelings can be cloying. Storytelling enables discussion of emotions in a culturally acceptable and elegant way.
Communicate Interactively
Storytelling is inherently interactive. The storyteller sparks the story that the listeners co-create in their own minds.
Some of these are:
Communicate Collaboratively
In abstract discussions, ideas come at us like missiles, invading our space and directing us to adopt a mental framework established by another being, and our options come down to accepting or rejecting them. Narrative by contrast comes at us collaboratively inviting us gently to follow the story arm-in-arm with the listener. It is more like a dance than a battle.
Communicate Persuasively
When the listener follows a story, there is the possibility to get the listener to invent a parallel story in the listener's own environment. The story co-created becomes our own, and something we love and are prepared to fight for.Communicate Accurately
Before modern express communication, the communication was among people from the same village, or district, or city. With global communications, the assumption of similar context in which knowledge arises, hence becomes the normal vehicle for accurate knowledge transfer.
Communicate Intuitively
We know more than we realize. But if we do not know it, how can we communicate it. Storytelling provides an answer, since by telling a story with feeling, we are able to communicate more explicitly now. Our body takes over and does it for us.
Communicate Entertainingly
Abstract communications are dull and dry because they are not populated with people but things. As living beings, we are attracted to what is living and repelled by inert things such as concepts. Stories enliven and entertain.
Communicate Movingly to get action
Storytelling does not just close the knowing/doing gap. It eliminates the gap by stimulating the listener to co-create the idea.
Communicate Feelingly
Explicit talk about feelings can be cloying. Storytelling enables discussion of emotions in a culturally acceptable and elegant way.
Communicate Interactively
Storytelling is inherently interactive. The storyteller sparks the story that the listeners co-create in their own minds.
From Brown, Denning, Groh and Prusack, 2004
Go to Tim Shepherds web on Storytelling.
http://www.timsheppard.co.uk/story/
Explore the section on traditional storytelling.